Newlyweds Seek Pope's Blessing: A Journey of Faith and Love in Rome

Pensacola, USA - Pope Leo XIV recently brought the warmth and wisdom of his papacy to newlyweds Anna and Cole Stevens during a general audience at the Vatican, just four days after their wedding. On June 11, 2025, the young couple received a personal blessing from the Pope, who shared heartfelt marriage advice with approximately 65 newlywed couples present that day. Anna and Cole expressed their yearning to deepen their faith and prayer life in their marriage, a query that resonated with the Pope, who focused solely on their interaction during this precious moment.

Cole and Anna prepared for this occasion by praying a rosary while waiting for their audience. Reflecting on their personal journey, they revealed that their relationship blossomed from a blind date while Cole was pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Alabama. The couple cultivated their bond even through long-distance communication, culminating in a heartfelt proposal in an adoration chapel two years later. This newlywed pair had even prayed novenas together for 90 days leading up to their wedding.

Emphasizing the Importance of Prayer

The Pope’s advice hit home for the couple who, inspired by their audience, have since incorporated nightly rosary walks into their routine after dinner. These walks allow them to pray for personal intentions while connecting peacefully. Anna noted the importance of adapting their prayer practices to suit their life stage, while Cole appreciated the down-to-earth nature of the Pope’s guidance. They feel that these practices have enriched their marriage, embodying the essence of Catholic teachings on family life.

In line with this approach, Pope Leo XIV has made a broader commitment to reaffirm Catholic teachings on marriage and family, a mission that kicked off on June 1 with a message aligning with the start of Pride Month. His messages draw heavily from established encyclicals such as Humanae Vitae and Familiaris Consortio, reinforcing the positions of his predecessors, St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. As recent Vatican events, including the ordination of 11 priests, generated a renewed sense of hope within the Church, there is an encouraging movement heralded by a panel advocating the importance of steadfastness in truth and prayer for the faithful community.

The Nature of Marriage

During a Mass for the Jubilee of Families, Pope Leo XIV delivered insights that contrasted previous views on marriage presented in the document Amoris laetitia. The Pope clarified that marriage should not be viewed merely as an ideal, but instead be understood as the measure of true love between a man and a woman. Notably, he addressed concerns regarding the validity of various relationships and the central importance of the marriage covenant for grasping God’s love and fostering strong relationships in society.

Among his words of encouragement to young people, Pope Leo highlighted the example set by saintly families, like Louis and Zélie Martin, whose canonization serves as a bright beacon of hope. This re-emphasis on the significance of marriage is welcome news not only for new couples like Anna and Cole but for the broader Catholic community seeking clarity in a rapidly changing world.

As the couple continues to grow in their new life together, they also serve as a testament to the timeless power of prayer and the nurturing of faith within a marriage—a message that resonates strongly with Pope Leo XIV’s teachings on the sacred bond of matrimony. With a renewed focus on traditional values and modern application, perhaps we can all take a page from their playbook by incorporating a little more prayer into our everyday lives.